What an adventurous week!! Potatoes!!

We have had quite a few adventures this week. Today we got to dig out potatoes   with some friends from church who have an awesome garden! Afterwards we made French fries with the potatoes and grilled up some burgers! Thanks Apgars!!

Musings from Bagel Time

It's that time of the week again, Bagel Time! Today it's an everything bagel with butter and coffee. Yum! It's also mommy alone in a booth at Panera. Sigh. What a treat. 

But more than that it's meeting with The Lord and hearing from Him in His Word. 2 Chronicles. It has offered me an anchor in the midst of ups and downs this week with my kids. Nothing major. Just new levels of selfishness and anger and crankiness needing to be addressed in view of the Gospel but often addresses with no thought of the Gospel which led to a long and discouraging week. Enemies that wage war against our souls. They come in many forms. 

 Well. Here is the anchor for our souls in the midst of those enemies! And I think of friends and family battling enemies like cancer, depression, family strife, uncertainty, moving, etc. Hordes of enemies.  Where is our hope?

2 Chronicles 20: 12, 15, 17

 "For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.

And he said, "Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, 'Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's.

You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.' Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you."

My hope in facing the enemies of selfishness and anger in my kids (and myself) is that it is The Lords battle! We do not need to be dismayed or afraid. He is our salvation. In sin, cancer, fear, depression, etc. 

Further on it continues "Give thanks to The Lord,for His steadfast love endures forever!"

Take courage! Be anchored! Have hope!

Bee adventure!

Today we went to lunch at the home of one of our elders and his wife. She is a beekeeper! After a brief lesson about bees, hives and safety, the boys got all suited up with bee gear and courage and explored the bees and the bee hive with Mrs. Davis. Owen liked it for a little while and then stood cautiously about 4 ft back while Baxter was as close as Mrs. Davis helping her with various jobs she needed to do. Lucy and I stayed on the screened in porch :). They were so brave and it was so neat! God made bees so particular and unique and smart! Amazing!

Thank you Mrs. Davis!!

A new fire house...to us

We always loved going to visit our friend Mr. Andy the fireman at Station 12 and running into the fireman who helped Baxter in the ambulance and at the hospital when he had real bad croup at Chick fil a  in Richmond.  That is one thing we have missed being in Carlisle. Well, some friends have a neighbor who is a fireman. We joined them on a visit to his fire station in downtown Carlisle today. He gave the kids a thorough overview of each part of the truck and let them try on air tanks and ring the bell. We also got to see two very old firetrucks in a museum they have. Then, he hooked each kid who wanted to up to a harness and let them climb the ladder truck pretending to put out a chimney fire on the building next door. It was so neat!! 

The pics tell it all! Thanks Coach Rusty and thanks Hopes for letting us tag along!

This is as far as O was up for, so eager though! And so proud! He was excited to make it up to the second story. 

At first B only wanted to go this far...

But once he started climbing he just kept going!!

Mystery play dough creations

Combining a few blog posts I found recently we went to work this morning on some fun play dough adventures. 

First Lucy and I mixed up some homemade play dough from a recipe we used this winter for peppermint play dough, minus the peppermint! 

Then I added a mystery color with food coloring to the middle of each ball of play dough and put them in ziplock baggies for the kids to knead IN the bag to discover the color they had.

Then they started creating. We had small craft sticks, golf tees and pipe cleaners. 

I haven't been feeling well this week and this has been a great activity involving minimal mommy energy! And lots of kiddo creativity and fun.